coonyp Reviews

Godfather Mendoza (1934)

Good film but the wrong English title

[9/10 · 24 March 2023]

Very good film, especially considering that it was made in 1934. The Mexican Revolution was a complicated historical event. It involved a popular uprising on several fronts - Pancho Villa on the north, Emilio Zapata in the south. The political leadership changed rapidly - from Madero to Huerta to Carranza. Businessmen, such as the ranch owner who is the protagonist in this film, are caught in the middle as they try to survive the chaos and instability of the economic order.

My complaint with this movie is its English title. The Spanish title is exactly correct as Mendoza attempts to ingratiate himself as a special friend to every military strongman. But use of the term Godfather (the actual Spanish word is padrino) is way off as the film actually features a godfather who is not Mendoza. The title would have been best left in Spanish. In English it could have been "The Pal Mendoza" or "The Buddy Mendoza".

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

A blatant remake of a great film

[8/10 · 2 January 2021]

One of my favorite movies ever is John Huston's Treasure of the Sierra Madre. I have watched it so many times that I have memorized the script, much of which was lifted literally from the book. Each scene is perfectly paced. But the film does have a major deficit when compared to the source material as the novel is perhaps the most important that I have ever read. The longer I live the more I realize that our political outcomes, much of which are negative and defy logic, are the result of our unconscious human impulses. Perhaps the most significant paradox is the reality that poverty is often characterized by generosity whereas wealth generates anti-social impulses. This idea is presented repeatedly in the book. Probably due to Hollywood's need to avoid political controversy, John Huston was able to craft a film in which this idea was presented so obliquely as to be virtually lost.

In contrast Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods retelling of this story involves no such subtilty. It may be his best film ever. It is visually stunning even if its pacing and construction does not compare to the original film. But thankfully the politics are not hidden. In particular, it correctly preaches that racism is related to the effect of economics on our depressing human condition. The ultimate disintegration of the racially unified five bloods was occasioned by this truth.

Marriage Story (2019)

A Interesting Comment on American Divorce

[8/10 · 23 January 2020]

Although every story is individual, the film captures a couple of important general realities about the state of modern divorce:

1) Many divorces shouldn't happen and that includes this divorce as it was portrayed.

The couple had plenty of regard for each other which was demonstrated in several portrayed interactions between them. The divorce appears to be mostly motivated by their differing professional aspirations. No matter how justified these may have been, in my moral judgment they should have been secondary to providing a stable home for their child. Perhaps the saddest aspect of our modern society is that many of us fail to realize that life is best experienced by subjugating our own needs to those around us, most particularly within our immediate family and even more particularly to our minor children. This form of narcissism seems more prevalent in show business where successful careers depend on self promotion and that may explain why people in that occupation appear to divorce at a higher rate.

2) Our legal system exacerbates the divorce experience for those who have assets

In most cases at the time that the decision to divorce is made, the ensuing pain is underestimated by the couple. Rather than the anticipated experience of freedom and removal of a burden, the loss of companionship causes considerable pain and grief which is most often redirected as anger toward the other spouse. If the couple have assets and hire attorneys, it is in the financial interest of the legal professionals who are billing hourly to take advantage of this acrimony. Many family law lawyers are like the Alan Alda character in the film and do their best to address the emotional needs of their clients despite this financial reality but there are others who do not. Too often divorces cause huge financial pain for both parties.

Last Night (VII) (2017)

Beware of IMDb ratings with few voters

[4/10 · 9 October 2017]

We went to the theater to see this one based in part on the 8.7 rating and also based on the fact that we have enjoyed Filipino movies in the past.

But this one is undeserving of its rating. The concept of a suicidal person simultaneously participating in a romantic adventure is unique but also entirely unbelievable. The Carmina character is also over the top in her constant chatter and childish overacting. She is a gorgeous actress though.

All in all this is a pedestrian effort which might appeal to fans of the two actors but offers little else. Your movie budget is better spent elsewhere.

Una (2016)

Remarkable translation of a play to screen

[8/10 · 15 September 2016]

After this film was screened at the Toronto Film Festival today, an audience member asked director Andrews about the skill of lead actor Mendelsohn in his portrayal of such a deceitful and manipulative character. The host repeated the question without the adjectives but fortunately the question was answered as it was asked. Mr. Andrews noted that many audience members didn't see the "Ray" character in that fashion at all.

Indeed this ambiguity and its affect on Una is at the heart of this film as well as the play Blackbird upon which it is based. I generally am not happy when plays are translated into films but I found this adaptation to be quite the exception. The camera was able to extend the scope of the play to include scenes from the crucial events which occurred 15 years before the main confrontation which occupies most of the film.

A brilliant first film from director Andrews which will hopefully reach the wide audience it deserves.

Foxcatcher (2014)

Very good as a sports movie

[8/10 · 23 March 2015]

As a fan of both film and sport, I have always been disappointed that films have not caught the essence and drama of athletic competition. Even some films that have been highly regarded such as Field of Dreams miss the mark as far as I'm concerned. Foxcatcher is an exception.

There are themes in the movie which transcend sport for sure. The deference that a deranged John E. DuPont was able to garner purely because of his wealth reflects modern American values.

But wealthy or not, he was clearly a fish out of water in the world of high class athletes. The movie captures this perfectly by its accurate portrayal of the two brothers. Their personalities were different but they shared a devotion to sport and achievement. Sport defined their lives and the movie reflects that. To be sure, in a non-revenue sport such as wrestling, they needed financial support but they were nonetheless insulated culturally by their athleticism. Thus their relationship with the wannabe DuPont had to be strained.

The icing on the cake was the straight presentation of the wrestling scenes. There was none of the music, quick cuts, and choreography that Hollywood usually uses to virtually destroy the beauty of real competition.

Foxcatcher might not be the movie of the year but it is certainly the sports movie of the decade!

The Pride of the Yankees (1942)

The Problem With Hollywood and Sports

[2 July 2013]

I watched this movie again last night with my son who has become quite a baseball fan. It had been maybe 40 years since I had seen it so I could enjoy it all over again.

How terrific that Babe Ruth was cast as himself! Perhaps the greatest player of all time had a larger than life persona and this movie captures him as he was for generations to come. Gary Cooper is without a doubt an iconic actor and perfect for the title role.

There is plenty of gratuitous patriotism written into the screenplay which is not surprising since it was a wartime film. A subtle aspect of this nationalism is the portrayal of an immigrant family's gradual immersion into American culture.

The screenplay and the direction is overall is excellent for a bio movie. The viewer gets a good idea of who Lou Gehrig is as a person. The presumably accurate love story is quite joyful.

Now to my gripe about not just this movie but just about every sports subject Hollywood takes on. As a lifelong sports and cinema fan, I am constantly amazed at how poorly the two have meshed. This movie is a prime example. It gives the viewer virtually no appreciation of Gehrig the player. What were his particular skills and weaknesses? What were his notable achievements (other than the consecutive game record)? Moreover, even a casual sports fan appreciates the recurrent drama of game situations which matches or exceeds the dramatic tension of the best films. Yet for whatever reason, the obvious techniques for translating some of this to film are never used. How about at least two or three scenes recreating a tense moment in a crucial game where the hero delivers a key hit or play and capturing the joy of the fans and teammates? The use of a radio broadcast can set the stage. The closest this movie comes is recreating the home runs Gehrig promised to a crippled child. Sure that tugs at the heart strings but it is not necessarily important from a sports perspective.

$ (1971)

Best part of this movie...

[13 January 2013]

is when each of the crooks get the big surprise in the vault! This movie is one of my favorites. I really liked the pacing, the direction and the plot concept. While Goldie Hawn doesn't really seem quite like a prostitute, she really carries the movie. One particular memorable moment comes when she bathes her hands with money and asks herself if there is some connection between crime and sex. Warren Beatty is also good. I particularly liked Scott Brady's perfect caricature of American chauvinism. Arthur Brauss is haunting and memorable as the sociopath drug dealer. I personally found the long chase scenes in last part of the movie to be out of sync with the rest of the film.

Happy (2012)

Important movie for the young

[8/10 · 21 September 2012]

This is a movie where the subject matter is far more important than the quality of the movie itself (which is good). Had I received messages like this when I was young, I am sure I would have made fewer mistakes.

Young persons understand that happiness is a life goal but they are often confused among conflicting messages on how to get there. By illustrating those who have achieved happiness as well as those who have not, the movie could potentially be very useful in helping young people make responsible and fulfilling life choices.

So hopefully this little movie will be recognized as a motivational tool for the young and used in our classrooms and in other venues where teens might be receptive to its message.

Little Children (2006)

The book is better!

[7/10 · 29 August 2007]

After watching the very good "Election", I sought out Perrotta's book and was a little disappointed. But I was intrigued with the author enough to listen to the audio version of "Little Children" not realizing it had been translated to the screen. I absolutely loved the book. Having watched the movie, I would have to say that in this case, the book wins.

Since much of the book describes the thoughts and fantasies of a myriad of well drawn characters, it is difficult source material for the cinema. The narrative technique was an effort to overcome this difficulty. The other problem is confining the material to a two hour time frame. It would have been better as an HBO/Showtime mini-series. Maybe it still will be.

I think Winslett captures the Sarah character perfectly but I thought the others were all miscast slightly. Brad needed to be taller, square-jawed - Jeff Daniels would be good. Ronnie needed to be more indolent, Kathy needed to be more dynamic, Larry should have been shorter, fatter (e.g. Peter Boyle in the 70's "Joe"), Mary Ann needed to be an even more classically suburban prude, Ronnie's Mom is not nearly as small minded as her character needs to be.

Casque d'Or (1952)

Ironically Signoret is miscast

[8/10 · 10 August 2007]

This is a memorable film which is beautifully constructed by Becker and features a resplendent performance by Signoret. While her cinematic presence accentuated by numerous close-ups makes this love story unforgettable, she actually comes across as too cultured and classy to be believable as an underworld sometime-prostitute. To me, the story is really about the sensual allure of women associated with the sexual underworld, especially when contrasted with women of regular society as represented here by Leonie, George's fiancé. Once Georges becomes the target of Marie's obsession, he is powerless and all of his subsequent acts are almost compelled by his involuntary reciprocation of her attentions.

Donovan's Reef (1963)

Easily The Most Underrated American Film Ever

[10/10 · 27 April 2007]

I may be a minority of one, but I regard this as John Ford's very best film and one of the top 10 American films ever made. Like most great art, the film makes a serious examination our complex human condition - the bonds of family and love contrasted with tribal and sexist stereotyping. It does this through a comedic overlay which simultaneously provides entertaining relief while ridiculing our social prejudices. Very few works of comedy pull this kind of thing off well, Moliere comes to mind. This ranks right up there.

The true test is to give this film multiple viewings. Our family watches it every Christmas. (The Christmas pageant scene is truly classic.) I guarantee that the only scenes that will grow stale are the two fight scenes. Every other piece becomes richer and lovelier. Now that is rare!

Experiment in Terror (1962)

Where's Willie Mays?

[13 October 2005]

A fine movie with great old time San Francisco locations. Some of the minor characters - "Popcorn", the SF Police Detective, the rather obviously gay apartment manager - are classically San Franciscan. The suspense is punctuated by a good score by Henry Mancini and some quick action cuts. The highlight has to be the final scenes filmed at Candlestick park. With all due respect to Harvey Kuenn and Don Drysdale (fine players in their own right), Blake Edwards did not have the foresight to feature Willie Mays in any of the baseball scenes. Didn't he have some idea that the movie might be watched by future generations? Thankfully we do get a snippet of Vin Scully play-by-play.

Sayonara (1957)

Brando, Buttons Horribly Miscast

[5/10 · 20 July 2005]

A very nice novel by James Michener and decent screenplay was ruined by the selection of these two actors. Brando is unconvincing as a "mainstream" button-down military man and his exaggerated southern accent and disinterested affect only furthers the distortion. No doubt he is a powerful actor, but not necessarily a versatile one. Red Buttons is too soft to be the street-wise Kelley. Although Montalban is fine as Kabuki dancer Nakamura, a truly Japanese actor would have been preferable. The rest of the cast is fine. The relatively unknown James Garner would actually have been perfect for the Lloyd Gruver role in place of Brando. The movie could have also benefited from more location photography.

Thomas est amoureux (2000)

Use of First Person camera is always wrong

[20 August 2001]

I enjoyed this movie for a couple of reasons.

Reminiscent of Paul Cox's "Lonely Hearts" it uses the love story format to illustrate the need for emotionally crippled people to connect. It also shows a future world of communications which rings very true because we are almost there. Unfortunately, the use of the first person camera ruins what could have been a truly great movie.

The first person camera seems like a good cinematic idea but it is not. Instead of enhancing the viewer's emotional transference (which would be the goal), it detracts from it. The reason might be illustrated by the comments of a sensitive and attractive young lady I saw on a newsmagazine the other night. She had lost her sight and then recovered it. When asked what she had missed seeing most, her answer was immediate: "herself".

Maybe someone in Hollywood will get a hold of this one and do it right.